Candle holder converter assembly

ABSTRACT

A converter assembly intended for use with a conventional handle holder, e.g., a candlestick, candelabra, or candle sconce, for simulating the appearance and functionality of a traditional candle with attached shade but configured to significantly reduce the risk of fire. The assembly includes an elongate shaft configured to simulate a wax candle and having a lower end shaped to be accommodated in a candle receiving socket of a conventional candle holder. The upper end of the elongate shaft mounts a light transmissive cup, configured to hold a tealight and support a light transmissive shade.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to alternative uses of traditional candle holders (e.g., candlesticks, candelabras, candle sconces) and more particularly to a converter assembly configured for use with a traditional existing candle holder to provide the appearance and function of a traditional candle with attached shade while reducing the risk of fire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Before the ready availability of electricity, candles were traditionally used for lighting. As early as the 14^(th) century, tapered or column candles were developed and typically used wax, which is solid at room temperature, and a piece of absorbent twine, i.e., a wick. The wick is exposed at the candle upper end for supporting a flame and the lower end of the candle is generally shaped to be received in the candle socket of a candle holder. Sometime later, shades were developed for attaching to the candle for the purpose of shielding a user's eyes from the direct glare of the flame on the exposed wick. To facilitate the diffusion of glare from the flame, the shade was generally formed of a light transmissive material, e.g. paper, cloth, or a perforated metal which was at times decorated to enhance its appearance. Unfortunately, the shade materials were either typically flammable or prone to overheating, presenting either a considerable risk of fire or heat warped candles that burned erratically.

Now that electricity is widely available, there is little need to use shaded candles for primary lighting. However, the look and feel of a wax tapered or column candle providing flickering illumination behind a decorative shade offers an aesthetically pleasing and traditional visual effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a converter assembly intended for use with a conventional candle holder, e.g., a candlestick, candelabra, or candle sconce, for simulating the appearance and functionality of a traditional candle with attached shade but configured to significantly reduce the risk of fire.

A converter assembly in accordance with the invention is characterized by an elongate shaft configured to simulate the appearance of a wax candle but lacking a flame supporting wick and fuel source. Rather, the shaft is formed of a plastic, wood, or metal. The shaft lower end is configured to nest in the candle socket of a traditional candle holder. A light transmissive cup is mounted on the shaft upper end. The cup is configured to removably accommodate a conventional tealight and to support a light transmissive shade so as to extend around and conceal the tealight. A preferred tealight, as contemplated by the invention, comprises a short cylindrical metal, glass or heat resistant plastic container containing fuel and a wick. Such tealights are readily commercially available for use in food warmers, for example, or as votive candles. Alternative battery operated tealights also can be used in accordance with this invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shaft diameter, over at least a portion of its length, diminishes progressively to simulate the taper of a standard wax candle. Moreover, the finish on the shaft exterior surface is preferably selected to simulate the glossy appearance of a conventional wax stick candle.

In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the shaft lower end is configured to removably nest in a standard candle socket. This characteristic allows different shafts to be used with different candle holders. Thus, multiple shafts of different lengths and/or different colors, and/or carrying different ornamentation can be interchanged with each different candle holder.

In accordance with a further preferred aspect of the invention, each cup is removably mounted on the shaft for convenient exchange. The cups can be fabricated of clear glass or heat resistant plastic to minimize shadows and/or can be fabricated with specific characteristics to enhance visual effects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of a candlestick embodying a converter assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the plane 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the upper end of a preferred converter assembly in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the plane 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the lower end of a preferred converter assembly in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of a preferred candlestick lamp converter assembly in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing a variation of the cup's supporting post;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 5 showing a variation in the manner of supporting the cup and shade;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a traditional wall sconce used together with a pair of converter assemblies in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of a traditional candelabra using multiple converter assemblies in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Attention is initially directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates a converter assembly 10 in accordance with the invention mounted on a conventional candle holder, or candlestick, 12. The converter assembly 10 is designed for use with a wide range of candle holders 12 to simulate a traditional standard wax stick candle and a light transmissive shade. Such traditional candles with attached shades provide a pleasing warm ambience characterized by a flickering flame visible through the light transmissive shade but represent a considerable fire risk.

A converter assembly 10 in accordance with the invention is primarily comprised of an elongate shaft 14 (FIG. 2), a light transmissive cup 16 mounted on the upper end 18 of shaft 14, and a light transmissive shade 20 adapted to be supported on cup 16.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 2-4, the shaft 14 and cup 16 are configured for removably mounting the cup 16 on shaft upper end 18. More particularly, cup 16 which is preferably formed of clear glass or heat resistant plastic is comprised of a base 22 having a peripheral wall 24 extending upwardly therefrom to define an interior cup cavity 26. The peripheral wall 24 preferably flares outwardly from cup base 22 toward a cup upper rim 28 which defines an open cup entrance 30.

A mounting adapter 32 is provided for removably mounting the cup 16 on the shaft 14. The preferred mounting adapter 32 is comprised of a head 36 attached to a stem 38. The head 36 defines an upper flat surface 40 configured to be attached, e.g., by adhesive, to the exterior surface of cup base 22. The stem 38 is configured for removably nesting in axial recess 42 extending into shaft 14. For example, stem 38 can be externally threaded at 44 to mate with internal threading 46 in recess 42 to enhance stability.

The elongate shaft 14 is configured to simulate the general appearance of a conventional wax stick candle but lacks the flame supporting wick and fuel source characteristic of such candles. Rather, the shaft 14 is formed of a material such as plastic, wood, or metal having an exterior surface finish which simulates the glossy appearance of a conventional wax stick candle. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the shaft 14 defines a circular lateral cross-section and is tapered along its length similarly to conventional candles, i.e., shaft 14 has an outer diameter which diminishes progressively over at least a portion of its length from its lower end 50 toward its upper end 18.

The shaft lower end 50 is preferably configured for removably nesting in a standard candle receiving socket 52 of a conventional candlestick 12.

Cup base 22 preferably has a flat interior surface which forms the floor 54 of the interior cup cavity 26. The cup floor 54 is preferably dimensioned to accommodate a readily commercially available tealight 56 of the type comprising a short cylindrical metal, glass or heat resistant plastic container containing fuel and a wick. Battery operated tealights can be alternatively used.

The light transmissive shade 20 is comprised of wall 60 of light transmissive material preferably formed in the shape of a truncated cone having a large diameter lower peripheral edge 62 and a smaller diameter upper peripheral edge 64. Peripheral edges 62 and 64, respectively, bound lower and upper open areas. The upper edge 64 preferably includes a radially oriented flange 66 dimensioned to rest the shade 20 on the cup upper rim 28 (FIG. 2). The shade 20 is preferably dimensioned such that its lower peripheral edge 62 extends below the cup base 22. To optimally simulate the aesthetic effect provided by a traditional candle with attached shade, it is preferable that the tealight 56 be able to illuminate the light transmissive shade wall 60 without creating any unintended shadows. Accordingly, it is preferable that cup 16 be formed of clear or uniformly tinted glass or heat resistant plastic, or perhaps of seeded glass, so that the light provided by the tealight 56 illuminates the interior surface of the shade wall 60 without casting any shadows thereon.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which stem 38A of mounting adapter 32A is removably press-fit into shaft recess 42A, instead of being threaded as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Other alternative techniques for removably mounting an adapter 32A to the shaft 14A can also be used. FIG. 5 also shows a battery operated tealight 56A which can be used in place of the aforementioned wick/fuel tealight 56 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

FIG. 6 depicts further alternatives for constructing a converter assembly 10 in accordance with the invention. In accordance with one aspect depicted in FIG. 6, a frame 70 is provided for locating shade 20 higher relative to cup 16. The frame 70 is comprised of upper and lower rings 72 and 74, respectively, and intermediate links 76. The lower ring 74 is dimensioned to rest on the cup upper rim 28 whereas the upper ring 72 is dimensioned to support the shade upper edge 64B. The arrangement of FIG. 6 places the shade 20 higher relative to the tealight 56 than the arrangement shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 also shows that the mounting adapter 32B can alternatively be formed integral with shaft 14B.

Converter assemblies 10 in accordance with the invention are not only useful with single socket candle holders as represented in FIGS. 1-6, but can also be advantageously used with multiple socket candle holders, e.g., with a traditional wall sconce 78 (FIG. 7) or a traditional candelabra 80 (FIG. 8). Converter assemblies 10 intended for use with multiple socket candle holders should use shades 20 of limited diameter, e.g., less than 3.5 inches to avoid contact with neighboring shades or an adjacent wall.

From the foregoing, it should now be apparent that a fire-safe converter assembly 10 has been described for use with conventional candlesticks 12 for simulating the appearance and functionality of a traditional candle and shade. Although only a limited number of embodiments have been specifically described, it is recognized that many alternative and substantially equivalent variations, will occur to those skilled in the art, which are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A converter assembly configured for mounting on a candle holder having a standard candle receiving socket, said assembly comprising: an elongate shaft having an outer diameter exterior surface finish selected to simulate a conventional wax candle, said shaft having a lower end configured to removably nest in a candle holder socket; a light transmissive cup mounted on said shaft upper end, said cup configured to removably accommodate a tealight; a light transmissive shade having an open upper area and an open lower area; and means supporting said shade on said cup so as to surround said cup and said shaft upper end.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said shade lower peripheral edge extends below said cup.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said shaft upper end defines an open recess; and wherein said cup carries a stem configured for removable accommodation in said open recess.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said shaft has an outer diameter which diminishes from a shaft lower end toward a shaft upper end to simulate a tapered wax candle.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said shade is detachable from said cup.
 6. A converter assembly comprising: an elongate shaft configured to simulate the appearance of a standard wax candle, said shaft having an upper end, a lower end, and a substantially circular lateral cross-section; said shaft being configured proximate to its lower end for removable nesting in a candle receiving socket of a candle holder; a light transmissive cup defining an interior cavity for removably accommodating a tealight; means mounting said cup on said shaft proximate to said shaft upper end; a shade comprising a shade wall formed of light transmissive material, said shade wall extending between upper and lower shade edges which respectively define upper and lower open areas; and means supporting said shade on said cup so as to locate said cup between said shade upper and lower edges.
 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said shaft defines a diameter having a dimension which diminishes from said shaft lower end to said shaft upper end.
 8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said means mounting said cup includes a recess opening into said shaft upper end; and a stem secured to said cup configured for removable accommodation in said recess.
 9. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said cup includes a base and a light transmissive wall extending from said base around said interior cavity, said wall defining an upper rim; and wherein said shade is dimensioned to rest on said cup upper rim. 